Fuel shutoff slide valve

Abstract

A method of controlling fuel flow including providing a fuel tank including a first fuel port and a second fuel port on an exterior of the fuel tank, the first and second fuel ports each communicating with an interior of the fuel tank, positioning a first connector through a valve body and securing the first connector directly to the first fuel port, positioning a second connector through the valve body and securing the second connector directly to the second fuel port, and adjusting a positioned of a slide member on the valve body between a first position and a second position, the slide member in the first position simultaneously blocking fluid flow through the first fuel port and the second fuel port, and in the second position simultaneously allowing fluid flow through the first fuel port and the second fuel port.

1 . A fuel shutoff system, comprising:
 a body;   a first fluid flow path extending through said body;   a second fluid flow path extending through said body, different from said first fluid flow path; and   a single valve element that extends through said body, said single valve element structured for sliding movement between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position said first and second fluid flow paths are unblocked, and wherein in said second position said first and second fluid flow paths are blocked by said single valve element.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a fuel tank including a first fuel flow port directly fluidly connected to said first fluid flow path of said body, and a second fuel flow port directly fluidly connected to said second fluid flow path of said body. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a first banjo bolt secured through said body and a second banjo bolt secured through said body, said first banjo bolt defining at least a portion of said first fluid flow path and being directly connected to said first fuel flow port, and a second banjo bolt secured through said body, said second banjo bolt defining at least a portion of said second fluid flow path and being directly connected to said second fuel flow port. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said body, said first and second fluid flow ports, and said first and second banjo bolts are each manufactured of non-flexible material. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said first banjo bolt is threadably connected to said first fuel flow port and wherein said second banjo bolt is threadably connected to said second fuel flow port. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said body is directly connected to said fuel flow ports of said fuel tank with an absence of a mounting bracket, and with an absence of a flexible hose positioned between each of said fluid flow paths of said body and said fuel tank. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said body, said first and second banjo bolts, and said first and second fuel flow ports are each manufactured of a non-flexible material. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said first fluid flow path of said body is structured to be fluidly connected to either of said first and second fuel flow ports of said fuel tank, and wherein said second fluid flow path of said body is structured to be connected to the other of said first and second fuel flow ports of said fuel tank, such that a handle mounted on said body and which operates said single valve element is positioned in an outboard position on said fuel tank, and wherein said fuel tank is chosen from one of right-hand fuel tank and a left-hand fuel tank. 
   
   
       9 . A fuel shutoff system, comprising:
 a fuel tank including a rigid first fuel flow port and a rigid second fuel flow port; and   a fuel valve including a rigid first connector directly connected to said first fuel flow port and defining a first fluid flow path, and a rigid second connector directly connected to said second fuel flow port and defining a second fluid flow path.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said fuel valve further comprises a slide member that extends through said body, said slide member structured for sliding movement between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position said first and second fluid flow paths are unblocked, and wherein in said second position said first and second fluid flow paths are blocked by said slide member. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein movement of said slide member simultaneously moves said first and second fluid flow paths between the blocked and unblocked positions. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said fuel tank, said fuel valve, said first connector, and said second connector are each manufactured of inflexible steel. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a handle secured to said slide member for actuating sliding movement of said slide member on said body. 
   
   
       14 . A method of controlling fuel flow, comprising:
 providing a fuel tank including a first fuel port and a second fuel port on an exterior of said fuel tank, said first and second fuel ports each communicating with an interior of said fuel tank;   positioning a first connector through a valve body and securing said first connector directly to said first fuel port;   positioning a second connector through said valve body and securing said second connector directly to said second fuel port; and   adjusting a position of a slide member on said valve body between a first position and a second position, said slide member in said first position simultaneously blocking fluid flow through said first fuel port and said second fuel port, and in said second position simultaneously allowing fluid flow through said first fuel port and said second fuel port.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said valve body defines first and second fluid flow paths, and wherein said first connector defines at least a portion of said first fluid flow path, and wherein said second connector defines at least a portion of said second fluid flow path. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said first and second connectors are rigid banjo bolts.